Things found in the San Antonio River

The river was drained Jan. 6-10, 2014, for maintenance. See what has turned up over the years.

By Julie Ruff

on January 5, 2014 2:22 PM

Photo: NICOLE FRUGE, San Antonio Express-News

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The San Antonio River was drained for maintenance from Josephine Street to Alamo Street Jan. 6-10, 2014. See what's turned up over the years, from the expected to the weird and wild.

The San Antonio River was drained for maintenance from Josephine Street to Alamo Street Jan. 6-10, 2014. See what's turned up over the years, from the expected to the weird and wild.

Photo: NICOLE FRUGE, San Antonio Express-News

The San Antonio River was drained for maintenance from Josephine... Photo-5680595.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Chairs

Water flows past a discarded folding chair and other debris in the San Antonio River Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, as the San Antonio River is drained near Nueva Street. The river is drained to remove sediment and perform routine maintenance. less

Water flows past a discarded folding chair and other debris in the San Antonio River Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, as the San Antonio River is drained near Nueva Street. The river is drained to remove sediment and ... more

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Water flows past a discarded folding chair and other debris in the... Photo-5686583.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Flatware

Flatware retrieved from the San Antonio river sits piled on the river's banks in 2005. Employees of Casa Rio restaurant were taking advantage of the river's low level and using a large magnet to retrieve metal items from the river. less

Flatware retrieved from the San Antonio river sits piled on the river's banks in 2005. Employees of Casa Rio restaurant were taking advantage of the river's low level and using a large magnet to retrieve metal ... more

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Flatware retrieved from the San Antonio river sits piled on the... Photo-5682771.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Salt & pepper shakers

A pepper shaker is half buried in the mud at the bottom of the San Antonio River after the river was drained along the River Walk in 2010.

A pepper shaker is half buried in the mud at the bottom of the San Antonio River after the river was drained along the River Walk in 2010.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, San Antonio Express-News

A pepper shaker is half buried in the mud at the bottom of the San... Photo-5680578.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Bottles

Debris such as this littered the bottom of the San Antonio River in 2004 and was cleaned up while the river was drained.

Debris such as this littered the bottom of the San Antonio River in 2004 and was cleaned up while the river was drained.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, San Antonio Express-News

Debris such as this littered the bottom of the San Antonio River in... Photo-5680589.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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And cans

Sludge, cans and trash mix in the San Antonio river to form a putrid soup under the Nueva street bridge during the annual draining and clean up of the river in 2005.

Sludge, cans and trash mix in the San Antonio river to form a putrid soup under the Nueva street bridge during the annual draining and clean up of the river in 2005.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Sludge, cans and trash mix in the San Antonio river to form a... Photo-1540230.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Cell phones

A cell phone apparently found during the draining and cleaning of the San Antonio River in 2006.

A cell phone apparently found during the draining and cleaning of the San Antonio River in 2006.

Photo: ROBERT MCLEROY, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

A cell phone apparently found during the draining and cleaning of... Photo-1540227.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Beads

Mardi Gras beads are imbedded in the muddy bank of the San Antonio River near North Presa street in 2010.

Mardi Gras beads are imbedded in the muddy bank of the San Antonio River near North Presa street in 2010.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Mardi Gras beads are imbedded in the muddy bank of the San Antonio... Photo-1540223.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Skateboards

Old skate boards rest on the side of the San Antonio river after the river was drained and cleaned of debris in 2007. The skate boards and the rubber turtle were found by city crews in the river by River Center Mall. less

Old skate boards rest on the side of the San Antonio river after the river was drained and cleaned of debris in 2007. The skate boards and the rubber turtle were found by city crews in the river by River Center ... more

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Old skate boards rest on the side of the San Antonio river after... Photo-5682763.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Speakers

Public Works Department employees drained and cleaned the San Antonio River to inspect and clean the River Walk walls, Tuesday, January 2, 2007.

Public Works Department employees drained and cleaned the San Antonio River to inspect and clean the River Walk walls, Tuesday, January 2, 2007.

Photo: NICOLE FRUGE, San Antonio Express-News

Public Works Department employees drained and cleaned the San... Photo-5680605.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Propellers

Public Works Department employees drained and cleaned the San Antonio River to inspect and clean the River Walk walls, Tuesday, January 2, 2007.

Public Works Department employees drained and cleaned the San Antonio River to inspect and clean the River Walk walls, Tuesday, January 2, 2007.

Photo: NICOLE FRUGE, San Antonio Express-News

Public Works Department employees drained and cleaned the San... Photo-5680602.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Miscellaneous junk

Pipes, wires bottles and buckets were just a few of the things workers found in 2010.

Pipes, wires bottles and buckets were just a few of the things workers found in 2010.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, San Antonio Express-News

Pipes, wires bottles and buckets were just a few of the things... Photo-5680579.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Snakes

San Antonio Water System employee Thomas Rivera stands in the drained bed of the San Antonio River near Navarro street in 2009. The crew he was working with found this snake while testing water quality at the river. less

San Antonio Water System employee Thomas Rivera stands in the drained bed of the San Antonio River near Navarro street in 2009. The crew he was working with found this snake while testing water quality at the ... more

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

San Antonio Water System employee Thomas Rivera stands in the... Photo-5682766.77142 - San Antonio Express-News

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Dead fish

A worker with the City of San Antonio shows a fish he found floating in the water in the San Antonio River near Villita street in 2010. Unfortunately, the fish was dead.

A worker with the City of San Antonio shows a fish he found floating in the water in the San Antonio River near Villita street in 2010. Unfortunately, the fish was dead.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, San Antonio Express-News

A worker with the City of San Antonio shows a fish he found... Photo-5680575.77142 - San Antonio Express-News